Evolution of Pharmacy in Karnataka: A Bird View

Abstract

In India, Pharmacy profession ensures the quality drugs are made available at affordable prices to the people. Drugs Regulation in India is implemented under the provisions of formerly called The Drugs Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 until the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 came to existence and Regulatory reforms efforts in country initiated with Mashelakar Committee observation. Karnataka has been one of the pioneer States in India with an exemplary track record. With its rich tradition and ethical values embedded in the pharmacy profession, the important milestones recorded depict the history and development of pharmacy profession and educational activity in Karnataka. It has a strong base of educational institutions imparting courses in Pharmacy and some of the institutions have international repute to its credit. Karnataka is one of the fastest growing states in the Country and nearly 268 pharmaceutical and biotech companies are housed in the State. Karnataka is a vibrant pharmaceutical manufacturing hub fortified with sound knowledge based institutions and skilled human resource available in the state; it provides innovative, quality and affordable health care solution to masses. In this short review author provides some of the glimpses of the pharmacy profession in Karnataka. 263 manufacturing units including Drugs and Medical Devices, 8% of exports of the country are contributed by Karnataka and as good number of leading brands are manufactured in Karnataka. Drugs manufactured in Karnataka are exported to 206 countries. Drug is the only commodity which cannot be compromised for any reason. Hence the need for an efficient Drugs Control Administration, to supervise the quality, availability at affordable price of drugs plays a pivotal role. The Government of India enacted the "Drugs Act" in 1940 to regulate the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs and received the ascent of the Governor General on 10 th April 1940. The Drugs Rules were framed during 1945 to give effect to the provisions of the Act. In the year 1962, Cosmetics were brought under the purview of enforcement and then onwards the Act has been titled as "The Drugs and Cosmetics Act". India